However, one Nottingham based company, Lion Media, has started a service to offset the cost, whereby company's can place adverts on cars for an allocated fee.

The only problem is you have to drive around with advertising emblazoned on your car.

Company branding is professionally applied to the surfaces of the vehicle and can remain fitted for three to 12 months depending on the duration of the ad campaign.

Student Elizabeth Allcock will receive £125 per month to display a full sized advert on her Vauxhall Corsa, enough to easily cover her current £75 monthly fuel bill, which takes her approixmately 600 miles, and contribute to other costs.

Petrol price have risen by almost a fifth and motor insurance costs have increased by 6% on last year, according to the AA.

Luke Moody, managing director of Lion Media UK, said: 'The rise in oil price and general living cost has resulted in many people struggling to pay fuel, insurance and tax bills with some motorists being forced to leave their car at home or even sell it.

'We are delighted to be able to offer a sustainable way of offsetting some of their costs in the form of our advertising scheme.'

To be eligible for the scheme you must be the primary driver of the vehicle, over the ages of 17 and hold a clean full UK driver's licence.